Tourism season begins with events across Kane County

KANE COUNTY — Southern Utah’s tourism season be­gins shifting into high gear over the next several weeks, with a mix of outdoor recre­ation events, western heritage activities, arts programming and community gatherings filling the calendar across Kane County.

A rider competes during a past Kanab rodeo event as Kane County prepares for another busy summer tourism season filled with rodeos, outdoor recreation events, heritage celebrations and community gatherings across the region. Photo courtesy of the Kane County Office of Tourism.

One of the biggest annual milestones ar­rives May 15, when the Grand Canyon North Rim officially opens for the season. The reopening tradition­ally marks the start of heavier regional travel traffic through Kanab and surround­ing communities as visitors begin moving between Zion, Bryce Canyon and the North Rim corridor.

The same week also brings the opening of “Maynard Dixon: Heart of America,” an exhibit running May 15 through July 6, celebrating the work and legacy of the famed western artist whose paintings helped de­fine the visual iden­tity of the American Southwest.

Adventure tourism also takes center stage this spring. The Utah 115 by Grand-to-Grand Ultra is scheduled for May 15 and is expected to draw endurance athletes and support crews to the area, while the Grand Staircase SXS Experience ar­rives May 22, bringing off-road enthusiasts to Kane County’s trail systems and backcoun­try landscapes.

Western heritage events also remain a major part of the early summer line­up. A PRCA Rodeo is planned for May 30, continuing the region’s long-running rodeo tradition.

June’s schedule shifts toward commu­nity-centered sum­mer events, including Movies on the Kanab Center Mall on June 12 and June 26, along with Bingo Night at the Kanab Center on June 19.

Kanab’s annual Ja­cob Hamblin Days is scheduled for June 19-20 and is expected to once again feature a mix of community activities, local tra­ditions and family events.

The season also includes a June 20 “1890s Dinner” at the Heritage House, of­fering a historical-themed evening tied to the area’s pioneer heritage.

“These events cel­ebrate our heritage and community spirit while inviting visi­tors that our com­munity depends on to come experience Kane County and everything that makes this place special,” said Janette Peatross, director of the Kane County Office of Tourism.

Additional events and schedule details are available through the Kane County Office of Tourism and local event organizers.